Kangra Valley Rail

Kangra Valley Railway (KVR)

It a historic 164 km (102 mi) narrow-gauge railway in India that connects Pathankot in Punjab to Joginder Nagar in Himachal Pradesh. Known colloquially as the “Kangra Toy Train,” it is renowned for its scenic route through the sub-Himalayan Kangra Valley, offering panoramic views of the snow-capped Dhauladhar ranges.

Key Features & Technical Details

• Gauge & Infrastructure:It uses a 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge. Despite its mountainous path, it was engineered to avoid steep gradients by following a longer, winding route, resulting in only two tunnels (76m and 328m) but nearly 1,000 bridges and 484 curves.
• Elevation:The line begins at Pathankot (383m) and climbs to its highest point at Ahju station (1,290m) before descending to the terminus at Joginder Nagar.
• Heritage Status:The railway was commissioned in 1929 and is currently on the UNESCO World Heritage Sites tentative list.
• Signalling:It still utilizes the antique Neale’s Ball Token system for safety on its single-line track.

Route & Travel Information

• Major Stations:The line includes 33 stops, with key stations at Jassur (Nurpur Road), Jawalamukhi Road, Kangra, Nagrota, Palampur, and Baijnath Paprola.
• Travel Time:The full journey from Pathankot to Joginder Nagar takes approximately 10 hours.
• Tickets & Booking:Fare is highly subsidized (as low as ₹10–30) to support local villagers. Online booking is not available for regular services; tickets must be purchased directly at the stations.
• Current Status (2026):While primarily serving locals, the line has faced periodic service disruptions due to aging infrastructure and natural events (like bridge damage). As of late 2025/early 2026, some sections like Kangra to Joginder Nagar have seen service resumptions after prior closures.

Future Plans

There is an ongoing government push to modernize the line. As of 2026, physical surveys have been completed to evaluate the feasibility of converting the 120 km Pathankot–Joginder Nagar stretch into a broad-gauge track to improve speed and connectivity while debating its preservation as a heritage site.